On Monday, the final phase of the revitalization of Nathan Phillips Square will begin.
Construction hoarding will go up Monday morning, behind which for the next 18 months, the rest of the planned improvements for the city’s principle square will be completed. This includes finishing off the relocated Peace Garden, moving Sir Winston to the northwest part of the square, refurbishing the underground parking, and landscaping the southwest portion of the space.
According to the city, this final phase of the work is being completed in two stages to minimize its effect on traffic, food trucks, and the various events to be held in the square over the year.
Work started on overhauling the 45-year-old square in April, 2010, when the old skate pavilion was demolished to kick off the new design by
Plant Architect and
Shore Tilbe Irwin, which won a Canadian Architect magazine award of excellence in 2007, the year it was executed.
The original design of the square, including City Hall, was itself the result of a competition, held in 1957-58, and won by Finnish architect
Viljo Revell.
Writer: Bert Archer
Source: Natasha Hinds Fitzsimmins